Driver's Licenses Issued via Bribery: Charges Filed Against 37 Individuals

The traffic police inspector of the Yerevan registration-examination department, A. S., reportedly issued driver's licenses illegally from August 2020 to July 2021, receiving bribes of 75,000 to 150,000 AMD from several dozen candidates through an intermediary. These individuals received licenses without properly participating in or even attending the practical driving tests.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia has announced that the authorities are collaboratively fighting against the corrupt practice of acquiring driver's licenses through illegal means, considering the risks it poses to road safety and traffic participants.

Based on materials prepared by the National Security Service of Armenia's Lori regional department, a criminal case was initiated on August 9, 2021, under Article 311, Part 4, Clause 2; Article 312, Part 1; and Article 313, Part 1 of the Criminal Code for the receipt of particularly large bribes by a state official, creating illegal grounds for issuing driver's licenses for several dozen individuals.

Evidence collected during the investigation has established that A. S. conducted practical tests in violation of established rules, giving positive evaluations and issuing licenses based on bribes. As a result, individuals who did not participate or only formally participated in the tests received driver's licenses.

On August 24, 2021, charges were formally filed against the inspector under Article 308, Part 1, and Article 311, Part 4, Clause 2 of the Criminal Code, and he was taken into custody. Another person who assisted him has also been charged under Article 38-311, Part 4, Clause 2.

In addition, charges were brought against 35 other individuals involved in acquiring licenses in exchange for bribes.

Measures are being taken under appropriate prosecutorial supervision to uncover and legally address all individuals involved in this illegal scheme. Previously, it was reported that there is an ongoing trial against another inspector from the Traffic Police's registration-examination department regarding similar offenses, while rulings have already been issued for six individuals who bribed officials to obtain licenses, declaring their acquired licenses void.

The process continues.